Learning Theories:

Behaviorism

Learning permanent change of

behavior or capacity acquired
through experience.

Example
The

toddler sings, Old McDonald had a

farm
The kindergarten child screams when a
neighbors dog approaches.

Basic Premises of Learning Theories

We can learn things that are
beneficial and not beneficial to
us.
We are not always aware of
what weve learned.
The results of learning are not
always easy to see.
There are different types and
levels of learning.

Overview of Classic Theories

Cognitivism theory in which

learning is equated with changes in
the organization and use of internal
processes
Neobehaviorism theory which
believes that changes in behavior
are observable and influence by
internal processes
Behaviorism theory which
equates learning with changes in
observable behaviors.

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning type of

behaviorist learning in which
associations are established
between automatic emotional or
physiological responses and a new
stimuli

Unconditioned Stimulus
stimulus which automatically evokes
an emotional or physiological
response.
Unconditioned Response an
automatic emotional or
physiological response to an
unconditioned stimulus

Conditioned Stimulus a
stimulus which evoked a different
emotional or physiological response
to a conditioned stimulus after
conditioning.
Conditioned Response an
emotional or physiological response
to a conditioned stimulus after
learning

Making use of the horror movie

example,
The sudden appearance of monsters
or scary images (US)
Sense of fear (UR)
The sound effects. (NS Neutral
Stimulus prior to conditioning
evoked no physiological effect or
emotional effect.)
The sound effects. (CS)
Your feeling shivers down your spine
when the sounds are heard. (CR)

Stimulus Generalization
responding emotionally or
physiologically not only to the CS,
but also to stimuli that resemble the
conditioned stimulus.

Extinction strategies used to

undo classically conditioned
associations.

Habituation strategy used to

extinguish classical conditioning by
repeated presentations of the CS
until the CR is lessened.

Counterconditioning strategy
used to extinguish classical
conditioning by pairing the CS with
a new stimulus that will interfere
with the association between the CS
and CR.

OPERANT CONDITIONING

Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning type of

behaviorist learning in which
voluntary behaviors are controlled
by manipulation of follow-up
stimuli; also called r-s pattern
learning

Reinforcement the use of follow

up stimuli to strengthen a desired
behavior.
Positive

Reinforcers desired,
follow-up stimuli added to strengthen a
behavior
Negative Reinforcers inhibiting,
follow-up stimuli to withdrawn to
strengthen a behavior.

Schedule of Reinforcement

1.

2.

3.

4.

Variations in the frequency in the presentation

of reinforcers.
Fixed Ratio reinforcement is dispensed
following a constant number of desired
behaviors.
Fixed Intervals reinforcement is dispensed
following a constant amount of time.
Variable Ratio reinforcement is dispensed
following a varying a number of desired
behaviors.
Variable Intervals - reinforcement is
dispensed following a varying amount of time

Cueing strategy in which a

reinforceable behavior is set up by a
stimulus or a signal.
Shaping reinforcement strategy
in which remote approximations of
a target behavior are rewarded.
Premack Principle grandparents
rule reinforcement strategy in
which an if-then contingency is
established between a preferred
reinforcer and a less activity

Punishment follow-up stimuli used

in operant conditioning to decrease
the strength of the performance of
undesired behaviors.
Presentation Punishment followup stimuli added to decrease the
strength of an unwanted behavior.
Removal Punishment follow-up
stimuli withdrawn to decrease the
strength of an unwanted behavior.

Extinction strategy in which

voluntary, undesired behavior is
followed by no stimulus, or is ignored.
Response Costs strategy in which
units of reinforcement are removed for
each display of undesired behavior.

Extinction with reinforcement

strategy pairing extinction with
positive reinforcement of desired
behavior.
Satiation or negative practice
strategy emphasizing the
introduction of the overloading of
enjoyable (the student), yet
inappropriate behavior (to the
teacher) until the behavior losses its
attractiveness.

Observational Learning a social

learning strategy which emphasizes
learning by watching others.
modeling